Tangerine Tango, a “spirited reddish orange,” was named 2012 Color of The Year by color expert Pantone, and has befittingly become the new color in vogue. A multitude of designers incorporated the bright hue into their Spring/Summer collections and many celebrities have been spotted wearing the vibrant tone. Cosmetics company Sephora has even teamed up with Pantone to create a limited-edition make-up, accessories, and nail polish line based on the vivacious color.

Sephora + Pantone Shade Finder (Sephora.com)

The brilliant pigment may seem daunting at first, but is really quite simple to integrate into your beauty regime, wardrobe, or household because of its versatility — there is a shade for everyone! If you’re feeling bold, try a statement tangerine blazer. Too much for you? Put on a pair of bright orange pumps or clementine colored lipstick. Adding a little orange to your outfit is an easy way to brighten your mood and your day.

I love the energy associated with tangerine! I’m definitely going to be sporting orange accessories this summer. Want to design your own Tangerine Tango looks? Head over to the Open Runway Design Studio to start creating your own custom shoes and handbags! Tweet @OpenRunway your designs.

– Rachel V.

Created using Polyvore.com

Up-and-coming yet slightly controversial songstress Lana Del Rey has taken the music industry by storm. Her album Born To Die premiered at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, and her latest music video only just came out but is already causing a huge buzz. She’s even performing on American Idol on March 22. The fashion world has also taken notice of the American beauty. During London Fashion Week Mulberry debuted a bag created in Lana’s honor, appropriately named the Del Rey. There is certainly no stopping this it girl.

Photo Credit: Stylebistro.com

Del Rey’s perfectly curled locks and patent pumps are very reminiscent of 1950′s glamour. The floral headdresses she’s often see wearing are ultra feminine and perfect for Spring. I just had to create my own shoes based on her playful elegance!

Feeling inspired? Create your own shoes for Spring through the Open Runway Design Studio – if you’re not already part of the Fashionocracy, join with registration code myrunway. Share your designs with @Openrunway on Twitter and they may show up on the Open Runway Facebook page!

–Rachel V.

Tabitha Simmons' Shoes for Creatures of the Wind (Photo Credit: tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com)

Creatures of the Wind Fall 2012 runway show (Photo credit: Fashionista.com)

Katy Perry at the 2012 Grammys (Photo credit: nylonmag.com)

I was so inspired that I decided to create my own shoes based on the teal and gold color scheme. I challenge all of you to channel your inner designer and construct your own shoes based on any of trends shown throughout New York, London, or Milan Fashion Week. If you’re not already part of the Fashionocracy, go to Open Runway’s homepage and join to start creating your own custom shoes — use invitation code myrunway to register.

– Rachel

I’m Rachel, one of the new interns for Open Runway!

I currently attend Virginia Tech where I am majoring in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management, with a concentration in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Management (It’s a mouthful, I know). I will be graduating in May and am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me. Open Runway’s unique design process is what prompted me to apply for this internship. I’m extremely picky about my footwear so I love the idea of being able to create and order shoes that cater to your own individual style.

I’ve always loved fashion and knew I wanted to pursue it as a career. One of my first jobs was working as a camp counselor for a children’s fashion camp where I got to style groups of young girls for an end of the week fashion show. Now, I am actively involved with Virginia Tech’s Fashion Merchandising and Design Society, and am anxiously awaiting our spring fashion show. Being a part of the club, I’ve had the chance to attend some awesome events like AmericasMart in Atlanta and Fashion’s Night Out in New York.

The 90′s is my favorite fashion decade; Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell is my ultimate style icon. European fashion has always intrigued me, and I got the chance to tour around some of the best fashion cities this past summer on a study abroad trip. Getting to see the flagship stores of major designers like Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney and shopping in Italian vintage stores is an experience I will never forget. I’ve convinced myself I was meant to be born in London, and hope to go back someday!

Last week I designed three shoes inspired by my favorite fall trends. So this week I’ve used the Open Runway Design Studio to create three handbags based off my favorite fall handbag trends.

Snake

Snakeskin is everywhere this fall, from shoes to handbags and even printed on sunglasses and blouses. A snakeskin handbag adds a touch of luxury to any outfit. My favorite looks are paired with jeans to take a casual look from bland to grand!

I love this Copper Snake embossed bag accented with Nude Leather. I chose our Slouchy Hobo silhouette for a youthful shape that is great for the weekends or work.

Satchels

Satchels sprinkled the fall runways and it makes sense why. These utilitarian bags have been reinvented in a feminine way and are easy to carry, even after stuffed to the brim. Satchels big and small are sure to be a staple in many wardrobes this fall.

This satchel is doubly on trend in a Café Croc embossed leather. I chose one of my favorite silhouettes the Downtown Side Satchel to create this bag.

Metallic

Metallic bags are back and more popular than ever. Whether in classic gold or silver or the more muted tones of pewter and bronze, metallic handbags are a perfect go with everything accessory. These bags are sure to be an everyday staple.

This Tasseled Tote in Vintage Silver has a slight texture to its sheen. I would take this bag everywhere, whether it be to the mall, the airport, or the office.

How would you design a handbag for fall? Tell us in the comments.

Normally I am a flats girl. Being sort of tall and living in a city with the worst sidewalks ever has made me this way. But my experiences at Open Runway have converted me to a heel lover –  or at least a coveter.  I can’t help but be excited for all the high heel trends for fall! So I narrowed down my top three favorite looks and designed them in our Open Runway Design Studio.

Bright Suede

Bright colors are in this summer but they are here to stay for fall. I love the pairing of the autumnal material of suede with vibrant sunny colors. It’s the perfect mix of softness and warmth, what fall is to me!

These bright cobalt platform pumps with ruffle counter detailing are perfect for peeking out from jeans or brightening up a classic LBD.

Animal Prints

This fall is all about channeling your wild side whether it be in leopard, zebra, snake, or crocodile print. Animal prints add texture and dimension to any outfit, so get ready to show your stripes (or spots) this fall.

These nude snake sling backs are subtle yet fierce at the same time!

Big Bows

Nothing is more feminine and fun than a bow! Whether in a bright or neutral they are the perfect embellishment for a pump and make any outfit primly pretty.

These cognac neutral shoes with a black bow are refined and charming and add the perfect feminine touch.

What shoe trends are you most excited to rock this fall? Let us know in the comments.

After being at Open Runway for a week, I’ve learned a lot of new terminology revolving around shoes. So today I am going to share with you some of what I’ve learned (complete with visuals) because seriously, shoes are complicated.

Firstly a shoe is made on a last, which is like a fake wooden or plastic foot. The last changes depending on the heel height, the toe shape and the size of the shoe, so a 4 inch heel height on a size 7 shoe will be made on a different last than a 3.5 inch heel height, size 9 shoe. Basically to make a full range of shoes you need a lot of lasts!

Plastic Shoe Lasts

Image Courtesy of GCBooster

There are many parts of a shoe, you probably already know about the heel and the insole, but did you know the front of a shoe is called a vamp and the back is called the counter! In this example the shoe is peep toed but if it were a closed toed pump the front would be called a toe box.

I wasn’t kidding when I said shoes were complicated! Thankfully knowing all these terms is not necessary to create a pair of shoes using our design studio. I have spent a lot of time designing shoes and handbags on the site and it is so fun; I can’t wait until all of you get to experience the joy that is openrunway.com! Get excited for our site launch at the end of the month!

Open Runway Love,

Andrea

Do you love shoes as much as we do?

Tell us about your favorite pair for a chance to win $100!

On Tuesday, October 26th, the Open Runway team took their operation on the road to Northeastern University. The purpose of the trip was to tap into the minds of Northeastern University’s MBA Marketing Club and generate some creative and low cost marketing ideas for Open Runway’s launch strategy.

Monika Desai, our CEO, opened up the event with a brief introduction about Open Runway and our mission to open up the runway and democratize the world of fashion. From there, the Marketing Club broke up into groups to brainstorm. This was no easy feat, but the bright minded Marketing Club at Northeastern was up to the task.

Here are some of the ideas that came out of the groups:

Group 1:  Reach out to magazine editors and bloggers and offer them a free opportunity to design their own shoes on Open Runway. Once they realize how much fun it is they’ll just have to tell the world right?

Group 2:  Crowdsource a viral video with Geniusrocket.com. An Open Runway viral video? We love that idea –  especially the crowdsouricng part!

Group 3:  Target a few influential haul vloggers. With these futuristic fashionistas racking up somewhere in the area of 8 bajillion views, how could we go wrong?

Group 4:  Do a local marketing push by targeting local Boston magazines like Stuff at Night, and events such as  Shecky’s Girls Night Out and Fashionably Late Thursdays. We think a local marketing strategy is a great way to get some love from Boston and get Open Runway off the ground.

Group 5: Partner with fashion design schools. Professors can incorporate Open Runway into their curriculum by having students design their own shoes with our design tool as part of a graded assignment. Stylish and educational? We like that!

We had a lot of fun and are looking forward to putting some of these ideas to work as we launch.   We’d like to thank Lynne Sarikas, the MBA Career Center Director, for helping us facilitate the event at Northeastern. We’d also like to thank Katherine Baroutgian and the Northeastern MBA Marketing Club for their time and feedback.

Have some ideas you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them!

Here are some photos from the event.

Today we’re excited to share with you an interview we did with local fashion designer Kristina Kozak. While Kristina’s preparing her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, she took a quick timeout to answer a few questions. So check out the interview and some of Kristina’s design’s, we promise you’ll fall in love with these heels!

First things first, how and when did you get into the wonderful world of shoe design?

Momma's Old Disco Platforms

“Well, I’ve been interested in shoes since I can remember and I had always dreamt of designing my own but I never knew it was actually possible.  It wasn’t until I worked at Louis Boston, where I was exposed to beautiful, almost art-like footwear and clothing, that I knew I had to find a way to design and make my own.  I found a class in New York City so every weekend I would travel to take classes with Emily Putterman.  She taught me everything there is to know.  Originally it was just for fun, but after I made my first pair I knew it was what I wanted to do.  That was in 2004 and I’ve been designing ever since.”

Having your own shoe line in this day and age is pretty impressive, how did you go about accomplishing that?

Lucky Stripe Pump

“Thank you…  It’s been quite an interesting and enlightening journey!  I didn’t follow the traditional route of going to fashion school and/or interning for a designer so I knew I really had to be resourceful.  I did as much research as possible and then contacted everyone I could think of in the Boston area and tried to set up a meeting with them.  I picked their brain and soaked up as much advice and knowledge as I could.  I volunteered my time, worked for free, attended shoe shows and events where I learned and also networked.  Those contacts combined with endless research and determination helped get me to where I am today.”

Your shoes are very bold and anything but ordinary, where do you get your inspiration from when designing them?

“My mom says I can find beauty in a pile of junk… so I guess that’s a big part of how I see things and it becomes reflected in my designs.

In a nutshell, I find inspiration from everything!  Walking around the city, people watching, pieces of artwork, architecture, nature, old films and music never fail to provoke great design ideas.  I know it sounds a bit cliché, but I truly believe beauty can be found in all that surrounds us.  There is so much wonder in the world if you just open your eyes and allow yourself to see it.”

Red Python Sandal

We agree, the world is a beautiful place. You mentioned you were working on Spring/Summer 2011 collection what can we expect to see?

“For Spring/Summer 2011 you’ll find my signature fun, quirky designs. The collection will feature a mix of high heels, kitten heels, and ballet flats in a variety of bold black and white patterns, neutral tones and bronze metallics, crystal and grommet embellishments, bow ties, and beautiful textured python leathers.”

Now that you’re working on your Spring/Summer 2011 collection what’s a typical day like for you?

Cravatta a Farfalla

“I wish there was such a thing as a “typical” day! But no such luck.  The responsibilities for each day vary so every day is always different and brings it’s own challenges and opportunities along with it.  Since it’s a small company I’m in charge of everything from designing to marketing to selling to shipping to contacting stores and replying to customers.”

Wow, it sounds like you’ve got your hands full. Out of all the shoes you have designed do you have a pair that is your favorite or a pair that is your ‘Sistine Chapel’ so to speak?

Gold Minx 4" Heels

“This is a hard question to answer because all of my shoes are so different from one another.  Plus they are like children.  I love them all!  But if I had to pick it would be the Gold Minx – 4” metallic gold Mary Janes decorated with mink tails on the back strap and a silk magenta ribbon closure.  They were the first pair I ever made.  After making them I realized that I had to follow my dream of designing shoes.”

Your shoes are absolutely adorable where can we find them?

“You can find my entire collection on my website (http://www.kristinakozak.com).  Around the end of April 2011 they will be available at selected small boutiques such as Stel’s on Newbury Street in Boston and Surfaces in Marblehead, MA.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?

“Thank you so much for including me on your Open Runway Blog!  It’s been wonderful to discuss my upcoming Spring/Summer collection.  If anyone has any other questions or wants more information about my shoes you can contact me at kkozak@kristinakozak.com.”